Temperature:      Wind Speed:      Gust:      Wind Chill:      Direction:    Switch to Metric

Temperature:

Wind Speed:      Gust:

Wind Chill:      Direction:
   Switch to Metric

Citizen Science Puts Weather Reporting in Your Hands

A distant shower falls over Mount Martha, NH (aka, Cherry Mountain). 
If you’re anything like me, you probably have an app or two dedicated to weather on your phone. Maybe you have a preferred app for weather forecasts, another for radar data, and yet another for satellite data. Or maybe instead of apps, you have several go-to websites bookmarked for various weather data.
Weather information keeps us informed so that we can prepare appropriately for the weather ahead, short-term or long-term. With colder weather in the forecast, we might pack a few extra layers or pull in a few more logs for the stove. Or, we might receive a warning about a severe storm heading your direction, and so we pack up, head indoors, and keep an eye on its progress.
While your favorite apps or websites might be providing you with weather data, did you know there are a few apps/sites that you can utilize and provide current weather data to aid in research as a citizen scientist?
Here are some apps that I have on my phone and might be of interest to you:
Mountain Rain or Snow
Remote sensing is improving and aiding in filling weather data gaps. However, precipitation phase changes can be difficult over mountainous terrain, and weather stations only provide information at a static location. That is where human observations aid in detailing how precipitation phase changes vary in time and space. Using these apps, with a few taps you can send observations of precipitation during storms at your location.
Forecasting
NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory is collecting weather reports through the free app mPING. What’s “mPING?” It is an acronym for Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground. The data in turn help define the precipitation that is falling at your location and improve forecasts and radar techniques. That in turn filters down to improve those various other weather apps you might be using for forecasts and radar data.
Cloud Types and Sky Conditions 
GLOBE Observer Clouds can be used to observe clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees. With the cloud observation aspect, you can help document cloud cover, cloud types, cloud opacity, sky conditions, visibilities, and surface conditions along with photographic examples. It is a bit more involved than the prior reporting apps, but with a few taps and snaps, you can contribute your real-world observations for better understanding and interpretation of satellite data vs surface data.

Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer & Meteorologist

3003, 2020

Home of the World’s Worst Weather Live!

March 30th, 2020|Categories: Historical Posts|

Home of the World's Worst Weather Live! 2020-03-30 14:09:36.000 - Rebecca Scholand, Summit Operations Manager   It’s nothing new that the Mount Washington Observatory is committed to education. In fact, part of our mission is to advance the understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather

2303, 2020

METAR Code: How it led to a Unique Social Distancing Selfie

March 23rd, 2020|Categories: Historical Posts|

METAR Code: How it led to a Unique Social Distancing Selfie 2020-03-23 21:08:24.000 - Rebecca Scholand, Summit Operations Manager   METAR: Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report   Every hour of every day the Mount Washington Observatory issues a METAR observation from the summit. It is these

803, 2020

An Update on My Internship

March 8th, 2020|Categories: Historical Posts|

An Update on My Internship 2020-03-08 15:38:00.000 - Eve Cinquino, Summit Intern   Intern Eve Cinquino here! I’m about half way through my time on the Rockpile, and it’s been an incredible experience so far. I’ve learned so much about weather forecasting (I studied physics in college,

Share This Post

Support Us

Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit research and educational institution working to advance understanding of Earth’s weather and climate.

We cannot do this without your support!

85th Big Wind Anniversary

April 8th, 2019|Comments Off on 85th Big Wind Anniversary

85th Big Wind Anniversary 2019-04-08 10:25:42.000 - Staff, MWO     The founding staff of the Mount Washington Observatory in 1932: (L-R) Alex McKenzie, Bob Monahan, Joe Dodge, and Sal Pagliuca.   Nearly 85 years

Still Winter In Our “Backyard”

April 8th, 2019|Comments Off on Still Winter In Our “Backyard”

Still Winter In Our "Backyard" 2019-04-08 05:49:55.000 - Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist   The acronym “NIMBY” (Not In My BackYard) is typically used for a person that objects to something perceived as unpleasant/dangerous in

The Culprit Behind This Wintry Weather

April 7th, 2019|Comments Off on The Culprit Behind This Wintry Weather

The Culprit Behind This Wintry Weather 2019-04-07 12:53:02.000 - Chloe Boehm, Summit Intern   Even though meteorological spring has sprung, the summit has seen its fair share of wintry weather recently with more on its

Find Older Posts

Go to Top